Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country that attracts millions of tourists every year. However, before you pack your bags and book your flight, you need to know the visa requirements and procedures for entering Vietnam. Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa to visit Vietnam for a certain period of time. In this blog post, we will provide you with the latest information and updates on Vietnam visa 2026, including the visa exemption policy, the electronic visa (e-visa) system, and the visa options for long-term stays. We hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Vietnam smoothly and hassle-free.
Update (July 1, 2026): Decree 165/2026 took effect on July 1, 2026 and allows Vietnam to ask travelers entering, leaving or transiting through the country to complete a health declaration. This is not a blanket requirement for every traveler. The Ministry of Health has clarified that it applies only to the groups of travelers and the diseases that the Health Minister specifies, depending on the epidemic situation. If a declaration is required for your trip, the official notice will explain how and when to complete it. Border quarantine officers may carry out health checks at airports and other border gates.
It depends on your nationality and the length of your stay. 45-day visa exemption applies to citizens of the following countries — no visa required for stays up to 45 days:
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Russia — plus, from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
Some other nationalities are also visa-exempt, but for shorter stays. For example, citizens of Belarus and Kazakhstan holding an ordinary passport can stay up to 30 days per entry.
For stays exceeding 45 days, or if your country is not on the exemption list, you will need a visa. Options include:
Apply at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Required documents:
The e-visa is available for citizens of all countries and territories. It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and accepted at 83 international airports, land borders, and seaports. No embassy visit required.
Apply only through the official government portal: https://evisa.gov.vn/
The e-visa validity starts from the date specified in the approved document. Entry before or after the validity period is not permitted.
Digital Arrival Card: separate from your visa or visa exemption, foreign travelers arriving at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh airports should complete the free Digital Arrival Card before immigration. The system is being extended to other international airports, so check your arrival airport before you fly. For the steps, read our Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form guide.
>>> Frequently asked questions: Vietnam e-visa
Visa on arrival is available for air arrivals only. You must first obtain a pre-approval letter through a licensed travel agency. Print the letter before your flight, then present it at the immigration counter upon arrival. The visa stamping fee must be paid in cash.
Note:
Our recommendation: We strongly recommend the e-visa — it is easier, faster, and less expensive than the other options.
E-Visa: $25 USD (single entry) or $50 USD (multiple entry). Paid online. Non-refundable.
Visa on Arrival: Two fees apply:
Special cases: Citizens of some countries may be subject to additional checks or different procedures. Confirm with the Vietnamese Immigration Department or nearest Vietnamese embassy.
>>> Vietnam Visa for African Countries
Overstaying a visa in Vietnam is an administrative violation. Under Decree 282/2025 (effective December 15, 2025), fines have increased significantly:
Overstaying may also result in deportation. Under Vietnam's immigration law, a foreigner who has been deported can also be refused entry for three years from the date the decision takes effect. If you are approaching your visa expiry date, apply for an extension well in advance. Processing can take up to 5 working days once your file is complete, and the request is usually handled through a sponsor or agency.
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😊 You shouldn’t need a letter from OAT if you’re applying for the regular e-visas yourself. For Vietnam, just make sure you get a multiple-entry e-visa if your OAT tour crosses into Cambodia and then back into Vietnam.
The OAT letter is mainly relevant to the old Visa on Arrival process, so it shouldn’t be necessary for an e-visa. I’d just double-check with OAT why they mentioned it, but otherwise you should be all set!
Hi, Mark! Sorry you're dealing with this!
The good news is that since they emailed you asking to fix your name, it doesn't sound like your application was rejected, you've just had to amend it. The downside is that once you submit the correction, it usually goes back into processing, so there's no guarantee it'll be approved by tomorrow.
If it's still not approved by the time you check in, the airline will most likely not let you board, as they'll need to see a valid Vietnam e-visa first.
Hope it comes through in time. Fingers crossed for you! 🤞